Cops seize guns, explosives in Koronadal rice dealer's home

KORONADAL CITY -- Police authorities here seized firearms and explosives in a rice dealer's warehouse following the implementation of search warrants, a police official said. Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police director, said the raiding team, composed of police operatives from the city and Police Regional Office (PRO-12), was armed with three search warrants against businessman Suharto Edza Ebus, a rice dealer in the city and nearby areas. Condes told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal, that Ebus was not in his home during the raid a about 3 p.m. According to Condes, the raiding team seized a 12-gauge shot gun, two rocket propelled grenades, two cal. 45 pistols,a fragmentation grenade and ammunition. Condes said the search warrant includes a search for prohibited substance from Ebus home in Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos, Koronadal City. However, no prohibited drugs were found. Karatuan Guiamal, 43, caretaker of Ebus rice warehouse, said he has no knowledge there were guns and grenades in the house since he was only employed by Ebus for the past two months.He said his employer is a gun enthusiast and member of a gun club. Barangay Gen. Paulino Santos council member Danny delos Santos said Ebus established his warehouse in the village sometime in 2011. Condes said prior to the raid the Koronadal City PNP have received information that Ebus was keeping unlicensed guns in his house with prohibited drugs. We are verifying if the guns were licensed but the police do not give civilians license to keep explosives, Condes said in Filipino. Efforts to reach Ebus proved futile as of posting.